ARC student arrested for threat against school, police say

Former American River College student Kristofer Clark, 21, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail on Oct. 8 after allegedly making a threat against the college's main campus, according to police. (Photo courtesy of the Los Rios Police Department)

After allegedly making a threat against American River College to be carried out today, former ARC student Kristofer Wayne Clark, 21, was arrested Thursday night on a felony charge of threats to commit a crime resulting in death or great bodily injury, according to an email sent to students from public information officer Scott Crow.

According to the email, a student alerted a staff member that a verbal threat was made against the main ARC campus. No specific person or group was mentioned, nor on the motive of the threat.

Clark was arrested at approximately 6:10 p.m. at his place of employment and is currently being held on $250,000 bail.

According to ARC President Thomas Greene, Clark was an ARC student as recently as spring 2015 but had no major listed.

ARC student Kyle Joyce, the vice president of the Medieval Fighting Club, said that whoever reported Clark must not have known him well.

“He would never really do it, he just doesn’t think before speaking a lot,” said Joyce. “If he told someone that, he might have been angry, but no threat.

“I stand by this man and his good character.”

Crow said that the counselors are available to speak with “any student or employee who needs assistance.”

Chaplains who work with the police are also available on campus today.

“Sometimes it (the alleged threat) triggers other experiences they’ve had in their life,” said chaplain Theresa Heath.

Greene asked that anyone who has information about Clark to contact the Los Rios Police Department at (916) 558-2221.

The Current will update this story as more information becomes available.

Barbara Harvey and John Ferrannini contributed to this report.

Update Oct. 9, 1:11 p.m.: This story has been updated with quotes from ARC student Kyle Joyce to reflect Clark’s current status as a former ARC student.

Update Oct. 9, 1:20 p.m.: This story has been updated to provide information on the chaplains available on the ARC campus.

Update Oct. 9, 2:36 p.m.: This story has been updated to show that Clark attended ARC most recently in fall 2014, not in spring 2015 as was previously told to the Current.

About the Author

Matthew Peirson is a third-semester student on the Current, where he serves as Co-Managing editor. He previously served as the Co-Sports editor and the Opinion editor. Matthew is majoring in broadcast journalism and plans to transfer after graduation.

Kyle is right, Kris is a good guy who said something stupid. I find it rather amusing in a morbid way, that of all the things I’ve overheard in the student center about people knowing how to hide bodies, jokes aout human vivisection or how ‘he needs to be murdered’ or ‘she needs to disappear’ that this is the first time a student has been reported for talking out their ass in a violent manner. What’s worse is now a good man is going to suffer for the crimes of others and because social paranoia is a righteous bitch.

it’s insane how a guys whole life can be ruined just because of what a student THOUGHT they overheard. He’s working two jobs trying to afford school again, i know him and he is the sweetest guy you’ll ever know. His name has been slandered, he might lose both jobs,he was publicly humiliated by being arrested at WORK, over what!? A silly comment that cant even be PROVEN?! The stuff i overhear these days, wow..every one should be jailed then i guess..

You guys act like you know this kid but you dont. You dont know what he is capable of. You dont know how he is at home or what he thinks there. The punishment should be harsher. You guys are idiots who think otherwise you say this now but when this physcopath shoots our school you will feel differently. And just because someone acts nice doesnt mean they arnt capable of performing harm to masses. I hope this kids entire life is ruined! I hope he is never aloud to attend any college or get any job- like i said i wish this punishment was harsher – like the death penalty – so he knows what its like to be killed when defenseless. Im glad they posted his ugly ass mug shot…